Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-28

For home feeding red top should be
grown more extensively. 1t is finer,
softer grass than timothy, and ripens
later. II grows better than timothy on dry
land, and yet produces abundantly Jon
moist, rich land 1t makes richer hay. 1t
seldom makes a rowan
June grass goes by good many differ
ent names, and is differently understood
term June grass the sweet scented
vernal variety whose delicate odor
is so noticeable in our hay mows and the
fragrant breath of our cows II is not
an especially valuable grass. White top
is one of the least valuable of our early
June grasses. If 1t stands late it is AS
worthless for food rs old grain straw. 1t
produces seed triply, and is very prolific.
The spear grass is most abundant, and is
Identical with the blIe grass of Kentucky
When early and late grasses are grown
together, the earlier takes possession of
the soil. June grass should be found in
every good permanent pasture
Orchard grass Is not well understood. 1t
is an excellent grass. In spite OF its disad
vantages it is valuable variety when
properly grown. The reason why its
stems are hard and woody is because
1t is allowed to get over-ripe. 1t grows in
tufts only when 1t is sOWn too thin. 1t is
ready to cut early in June. 1t produces
well on dry knobs. and does not exhaust
the soil any more than any heavy crop
taken from 1t continuously It's chief
throughout the entire season, giving two
mOwings Its glory is its rowan crop
The meadow fox tad is an early grass,
valuable for moist portions of pasture
land. The meadow fistOon is valuable for
moist uplauds. 1t sheds its seed early
Witch grass is rank growing species re
sembllng wheat 1t spreads botn from
seed and underground jointed root stalk
Corn and Hungarian millet are the best
crops to smother witch grass. | can be
killed in the garden by spading up and
exposing the roots to dry.
Wire grass is another blue grass. 1t
starts early in the spring, yet Is a late
growing variety. 1t is distinguished by
its fiat stem. 1t is good for dry knobs.
There are some 5000 species of grasses
known to botanists in New England but
ouly about 100 varieties are found in each
State. Timothy, red top and clover
are most familiar, and are the best
But other species should be better
known, and especially for permanent
moving and pasture grasses. The vitali-
Y of some of the wild grasses should be
taken advantage of. The false red top
grows in meadows bordering streams. 1t
is finer than the common red top, and re
tains its greatness and succulence late in
the season. 1t Is excellent for partially re
, claimed land. Blue Joint grass is good for
+ wet meadows, and is nutritious. Reed
canary grass Is coarse, tall grass, and
grows when saturated in water. Low
sWae and marsh land may be greatly inn
proved by sowing the seeds of these bitter
wild varieties. Many pastures are i'm
proved by wild grasses.
The most favorable period for sowing
grass seed is between the last of July and
the middle of September. In Northern
Vermont spring seeding Is usually safe,
but it is risky elsewhere, and the best
farmers have abandoned it. Timothy
sown in spring, under unnatural cOndl
tions, is sometimes killed by the first cut
! ting. 1t is one of our tenderest grasses
and should be protected in winter The
best protection is the leaf blade at the foot
of the stock near the bulb.
In top dressing much depends on condi-
/ tions and circumstances, the sod and gen
eral character of the soil. Top dressing
strong, moist land is often attended with
marked economy of results. A dry, sandy
plain Is not favorable for top dressing
Top dressing helps timothy in drought by
adding something to the surface OF the
soil for It's nutrition. The best time to
top dress is the day after the
| hay is cut and carried off. 1t
is not advisable to top dress land eX-
cept that bearing two crops. Manure for
top dressing should be either thoroughly
rolled fine, or soft and spread with brush
| or drag. Fertilizers as top dressing are of
no use as mulch, nor do they add to the
amount of surface soil. Land long in
/ gras, becomes too hard and compact for
/ the best growth of the plant, In my eX-
! perience top dressing for grass lands has
not been attended with satisfactory re
suits Different conditions of soil may re-
suit in different experiences.
Following Mr.. Cheever's valuable paper
discussion was held, participated in by
Messrs Taylor, Lowry, Morse and others
Mr.. Taylor said that his method of sowing
was somewhat different from Mr. Cheev-
ers He sowed III the spring with oats,
& using double the quantity of timothy seed
commonly used. He had succeeded nicely
by fall sowing, but had his best success
by sowing in the spring
Mr.. Lowry agreed with Mr.. Cheever.
He thought the land ought TO be thor
oughly plowed. Had followed Mr.. Tay-
! lor's plan of using more timothy seed in
proportion to oats, and got better crops.
The seed should be put in right after the
drill and then rolled.
Mr.. Morse said that his land WAS more
elevated, and that he had had no eX
perience except with timothy and clover
| He. had not had much success III seeding
/ on gretnSWard.
Mr.. Cheever then asked some questions
of the prominent farmers present, ellie
iling the following answers oats are cut
In this vicinity generally between the 10Th
and 2Oth of July. The yield OF oats Is from
40 to 60 bushels TO a bushel and three
| pecks of seed Mr. Cheever said that in
| his section oats are so badly affected with
rust that they are sowed lt1y for fod
der and cut green. Seeding ON greensward
is quite popular buy it has been found
that the crop soon runs out.
| In answer TO several questions, Mt.
Cheever said that timothy and red top
grow well together, but should be raised
separately if the land permits, rs there is
a ii ference in their time of rlpeniug.
On moist land grass seed should be sow
ed on top and rolled, or else slightly Gov
cred, On sandy land it should be planted
about an inch.
Hungarian grass is an excellent grass
Of heavy growth, and worth as much per
ton a. good hay.
In order that il may perpet uate itself,
timothy should not be cut until the leaf
growth at the foot of the stalk is pretty
well advanced.
Mr.. Cheever had a large number of very
fine specimens OF grasses raised by him
self which he showed to the farmers pres
ent. The address and subsequent talk by
Mr.. Chcever were highly appreciated by
the farmers present, and VIII prove valua
BILE to them in their practical work.